A little more
Nigeria.
A lot less roaming.

Travelling to Nigeria: what to know before you go

Nigeria is Africa's most populous country and its loudest cultural export: the home of Afrobeats, Nollywood and some of the continent's best food. Most visitors come for business or family in Lagos and Abuja, but those who look further find ancient kingdoms, rainforest, waterfalls and highland plateaus. It rewards travellers who plan carefully and go with local contacts.

Where to go

• Lagos. A sprawling megacity spread across lagoons and islands.
• Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove. A UNESCO World Heritage forest on the edge of Osogbo, filled with shrines and sculptures to the Yoruba river goddess Osun.
• Abuja and Aso Rock. The planned capital, built from the 1980s onwards, is greener and calmer than Lagos.
• Sukur Cultural Landscape. A UNESCO-listed hilltop settlement in the Mandara Mountains near the Cameroon border, with terraced fields, stone paved paths and the remains of an iron-smelting culture.

Best time to visit

The dry season, roughly November to March, is the most comfortable time to visit most of the country. From December to February the Harmattan wind blows dust in from the Sahara, bringing hazy skies and cooler nights, especially in the north.

Staying online in Nigeria

Mobile data is how most Nigerians get online, and 4G coverage is good in Lagos, Abuja and other large cities, with 5G in parts of the main urban centres. Coverage thins out in rural areas, forests and the far north, and power cuts can occasionally affect signal. Public Wi-Fi is limited to hotels, some cafés and airports, and is often slow. Since you will rely on ride-hailing apps and maps from the moment you arrive, install an eSIM before you fly and switch it on when you land.